Fireproof studding



Aug. 16,1938.

w. s. HURLBERT, JR

' FIREPROOF STUDDING Filed Jan. 18, 1937 WG-Hurlberbcfn,

Snot MA v Patented Aug. 16, 1938 FIREPROOF STUDDING William G. Hurlbert, Jr., Niles, Ohio, assignor to The Bostwick Steel Lath Company, Niles, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application January 18, 1937, Serial No. 121,223

4 Claims.

This invention relates to steel building conconstruction, and more particularly to improvements in steel studding.

A general object is to provide a steel partition assembly which is temporarily self-sustaining in erection thereby saving much time and labor in preliminary assembly while at the same time permitting of the arrangement and placing of all parts in their permanent relation and location so that they may be readily and easily secured in final position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of coupling for readily and easily. connecting a vertical stud with a ceiling track so that these elements of a partition or wall may be quickly assembled during erection and temporarily held in place by the mere act of applying a coupling while at the same time they may be permanently connected by fastening a portion of 20 the clip to the studding after the latter has been made plumb with the floor and ceiling line. In that connection the invention contemplates a simple and practical form of coupling which upon installation prevents relative transverse shifting 5 of the ceiling track to the vertical stud bythe mere act of applying a single coupling in place.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stud base-anchoring clip which cooperates with an element of the stud to not only hold the stud erect while the ceiling track is being applied but to also firmly anchor the stud in its proper location on the floor. The use of this type of base anchoring means for the stud elements eliminates the necessity of using a floor track commonly used in many steel stud partitions, thereby making it possible to fasten the lower end of each stud independently of another to the floor, reducing vibration and eliminating the transmission of sound along a continuous unit. Likewise, in the 40 case of felt or other sound isolation material being used, it is only necessary to use such material immediately beneath the stud and not in a continuous strip as in the case of a floor track,

thus effecting considerable economy in installation.

With the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the present improvements.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse cross section taken 0 the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the coupling or 5 assembly clip for the stud and ceiling track.

Figure 5 is a transverse cross sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

, clip D for securing the stud to the floor.

The stud A preferably consists of the opposite chord members I and 2 each formed of pairs of angle members 3 which are secured together in spaced relation by a plurality of web straps 4 of fiat cross-section. The ends of the straps 4 are secured to the adjacent legs of the angle irons by Welds 5 or the like so that when the stud is completed the cleft between the angles forms a convenient nailing ground or slot for receiving nails in the place of tie wires when it is desired to use this type of fastening for securing the lath thereto.

tially inverted U-sha'ped formation and comprises a transverse web 8 which may be reinforced by the pressed out ribs 9 to give the same greater stiffness. The web 8 is generally of flat cross section and relatively wide thereby to have a'more or less extended bearing on the angles 6 i of the ceiling track. At each end of the web 8 the clip is formed with the parallel legs Ill. The width of metal in the web 8 is continued around the portions of the legs immediately adjacent the web so as to provide the oppositely extending flange or wing portions intended to engage the flat outer faces of the angles ii. However, as the portion of the metal which forms the wings H is continued to form the legs ill, the said metal is bent up at right angles to provide the flanges l2 so that the legs ill for the major part of their length of channel shaped cross-section. .Thus, the lower portions of the legs lll provide inwardly facing grooves or channels intended to receive and embrace the opposite chords l and 2 of the stud. In applying the coupling C the legs Ill are sprung or forced over the horizontal ceiling track until the fianges l2 which forms the channels clear the sides of the angles 6. This action is readily permitted due to the resiliency of the metal and the stiffness imparted thereto by the ribs ,9. Therefore, when the clip is assembled over the track and onto the stud, both the track and the stud will be clamped in position so as to be temporarily held in place. When the stud is plumb with the floor, the legs of the clip may be fastened to the chords and 2 of the studs by the tie wires 13 as shown in Figure 1.

The legs ill of the coupling C may be provided with a slot or slots ills. which are preferably of the same width as the space between the angles 33 thereby to receive a nail or equivalent fastening to secure the legs to the stud in place of the wires 13. Or, on the other hand, the flanges l2 of the legs may be bent or crimped inwardly, as shown at I28. in Figure 6 by pressure of a suitable tool to hold the legs to the studs.

In erecting the stud A the stud base anchoring clip D is fitted over the web strap 4 of the stud as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5. This said anchoring clip consists of a body M folded upon itself to provide the resilient legs or wings l5 whose lower ends terminate in the offset or outwardly extending feet l6 which may be suitably perforated to receive fastenings. The spacing between the legs or wings l5 of the anchoring clip is such that the latter frictionally engages with the :dat web strap and therefore when the offset feet l6 are secured to the floor the stud will be temporarily held erect before and while the ceiling track is being put in place. Thus, a simple and efficient base anchor is provided for the stud which permits of each individual stud being secured in its desiredlocation on the floor. This has the advantages previously explained and which contribute materially to the economy and general efficiency of the entire structure both from the standpoint of assembly and functioning in use.

Also, it may be pointed out that the height or depth of the legs or wings l5 of the stud anchoring clip C may be varied so that the relative distance of the strap 4 from the end of the stud will be immaterial. This ,has the advantage of permitting the use of the clip at the top or bottom of the stud and also permits of some adjustment in the length of studding for variations that may occur between the ceiling and the floor of the building. That is to say, where a partition is'very short, one or two studs may be stationed where it is .not convenient to put the ceiling track in position and a clip with a relatively deep body maybe used.

From the foregoingit will be apparent that the present construction provides a simple and practical form of fireproof partition framework which because of its ease of erection and assembly contributes materially to time and labor saving, while at the same time adapting itself to a wide rang of flexibility inasmuch as the studs can be located anywhere beneath the celling track and can be secured to the floor whereever their location or position demands without regard to a floor track which in many cases requires cutting and fitting to make proper installation.

Without further description it is thought that the features and advantages of the invention will be readily understood and it will be apparent that minor changes may be resorted to within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A steel stud building structure which is -self sustaining during erection including the chord members connected by transverse web straps, a stud base anchoring clip having a body of inverted U-shape and offset perforated anchoring feet, said body telescopically fitting over the lowermost web strap so that when the feet are secured to the floor or the like the stud will stand' erect, a ceiling track overlying the top of the stud, and a coupling clip comprising a web and parallel-legs of'channel cross section adapted to fit over the track and stud, said legs adapted to receive the chords of the studs to brace the same with reference to the track while being erected.

2. In a steel stud building structure, the combination with a vertical stud and a horizontal ceiling track, of a coupling clip including an intermediate portion and spaced offset legs of channel formation adapted respectively to straddle the track and to embrace the chords of the.

stud to clamp the track to the stud temporarily while the structure is being erected, and means for permanently securing the legs of the clip to the stud.

3. A steel stud building structure, comprising in combination, a vertical stud including chord members and connecting web straps, said chord members consisting of angle strips spaced by the web straps to provide a nailing slot, a horizontal ceiling track'and a coupling clip comprising a transverse web and parallel legs of channel formation respectively adapted to be fitted over the ceiling track to bind it to the upper end of the stud and to extend downwardly into embracing relation to the chords of the studs, said legs having slots therein for registering with the nailing slots in the chords to receive a fastening.

4. A steel stud building structure, comprising in combination, a vertical stud, a horizontal ceiling track, and a coupling clip comprising a flat re-inforced web having offset parallel legs, the side edges of said legs at a point beyond the track turned inwardly to form a channel for receiving the chords of the stud, and means for sesuring the channel portions of the legs to the s d.

WILLIAM G. HURLBERT, JR. 

